This book is not an enjoyable read, not in the usual sense of the word. In fact, it caused me mental and physical discomfort, if not downright pain. The only other book that had a similar effect is Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich”. These two books capture the last agonies of two men condemned to death, one by a terminal disease, the other by the death penalty, a social disease. […]
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“The Toilers of the Sea” by Victor Hugo
Dear reader, how would you react if someone you respect were to show you that one of your friends, whom you’ve liked and trusted for many years, is in fact a coward, hypocrite, backstabber, rapist and murderer? Troubled, offended, confused, shocked, sad? That was my reaction when I read this book. That someone is Victor Hugo, and that friend of mine is the Ocean. Introduction Growing up on the coast, […]
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“Letters to Atticus IV” by Cicero
A collection of letters written by Cicero to his close friend Atticus during his declining years, i.e., the period between the death of his daughter and his own murder, which is also a period of crisis in Roman history, from the fall of the Republic to the rise of dictatorship and the Roman Empire. The letters provide rare insights into Cicero as a person, friend, prolific writer and astute statesman. The […]
Read more“The Nature of the Gods” by Cicero
“That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.” More than two thousand years ago, Cicero summarized the theologies of ancient Greek philosophers, in the form of a brilliant, pungent and witty debate among the representatives of the Stoic, Epicurean and Academic schools. The discourse is centered around four questions: Do gods exist? What […]
Read more“Ninety-Three” by Victor Hugo
Synopsis “Ninety-Three” reminds me of “Iliad” and “The Trial and Death of Socrates“. There’re memorable adventures and battles at sea, a ferocious siege that leads to a battle to the death, and finally, in the face of death, a contemplation of meaning, duty, freedom and destiny. Echoes of these contemplations are found in Tolstoy’s “War and Peace”, especially the Epilogue. If you’ve read “Les Misérables”, you would notice the year 93 […]
Read more“Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo
In his book “What is Art”, Tolstoy gives a few “examples of the highest art”. “Les Misérables” is one of them. “Les Misérables” is not so much a novel as an immense commentary of the world, of society, human nature, religion, history, revolution and progress, the Infinite and the minute, the beautiful and the ugly, the wise and the stupid, the noble and the base, sufferings and triumphs, love and […]
Read more“Einstein: His Life and Universe” by Walter Isaacson
A well-balanced, comprehensive account of Einstein’s personal life, scientific visions and achievements, as well as his political beliefs and activism. A good complementary reading to Einstein’s “Ideas and Opinions“. The book presents Einstein not as a genius with a superior brain, but as someone whose awe at the beauty and intelligence of the laws of nature and whose indomitable tenacity to pursue his vision should inspire us all. The most […]
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